Format for camera photography

As a pair, human eyes tend to see the
world as a horizontal oval with fuzzy edges. They also see a much wider
span than the standard lens on a 35mm camera.

However, the human eye flits about a
scene, focusing on different parts. This is why photos can be
disappointing compared with the original subject - the camera 'sees'
one scene in the shape of a hard rectangle, the human eye sees lots of
softly outlined images.

Horizontal format

It's natural to look through the
viewfinder so you see your image as a horizontal rectangle. The camera
encourages you further - it s designed to make it easier to hold that
way.

This is the classic picture shape for
general views and landscapes and is often known as landscape format.
Photographers tend to start out taking most of their pictures
horizontally. It seems natural, it suits many views and it feels
comfortable.

But there's no rule that you have to put
landscapes in a landscape format. Always see what a landscape - or any
other subject - looks like when you turn the camera round. You may
decide against the first and simplest option - a horizontal photo.

While the horizon often looks comfortable
in a landscape picture in the horizontal format, some landscapes are
strengthened by a vertical shape. All you can do is try it and see.

TIPS FOR TRYING OUT FORMAT: HAND FRAMING

Even when you haven't a camera to hand,
you can still keep looking at the picture-making potential of things
around you. A simple way is to imitate seeing through the viewfinder.
Make a frame with your hands and look through that. Frame every scene
in a vertical rectangle as well as a horizontal one.

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